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Tm Odr Birds and Game. 



Rficofflmendations as to the Trapping and Care of QnaiL- 



Use of Poison for the Extermination of 
Vermin and Crows. 



JOSEPH KALBFUS, 
Secretary of Game Commission. 



HARKISBUEG, PA.: 

HARRISBURG PUBLISHING CO., STATE PRINTER, 

1908. 



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OFFrCE OF THE 

BOARD OF GAME COMMISSIONERS. 

HARRI9BURG. PA. 



; I - January- 1st, 1907. 

Dear Sir: By act of Assembly, it is made the duty of the Board 
of Game Commissioners to protect the game and wild birds of the 
State, I take it this duty extends beyond matters specifically men- 
tioned in the statute. That the purpose of the law is to save the 
game and wild birds from extinction, and that it is as much my 
bounden duty to protect the game and wild birds from destruction 
through the agency of four footed animals, predatory birds, or the 
elements, as it is to say these same things shall not be taken by 
man, except under the letter of the law. I cannot believe that the 
Game law is intended for a purpose other than benefit to all the 
people of the State, or that it is my duty to arrest a poor man who 
may kill game out of season, when he needs the same for food, and 
then stand with folded arms and see game of like kind destroyed 
by storms, vermin, or wild animals, big or little. 

With the idea, then, that it is my duty to give all the protection 
in my power to the game and wild birds of the State, I desire to 
make some suggestions. 

I will not attempt in this letter, except in a limited way, to touch 
upon the value of the life work of the birds. I do want it under- 
stood, that as the illustration I may use shows the value of the 
bird named, so each family of our birds has its specialty, each doing 
a particular work that no other family attempts to do, except to a 
limited extent. 

Professor Surface, Economic Zoologist of this State, tells me the 
annual loss to Agriculture, in the United States, aggregates scores 
of millions of dollars from the ravages of plant lice alone. That 

( 3 ) 



if the natural increase of i)lant lice was not curbed in some way, 
this world would not be inhabitable by man, at the end of ten years. 

One of the great protectors of plant lice is our common ant, 
which carries the egg of the plant louse below the frost line in win- 
ter, carries the young louse out and places it on the plant in the 
spring, getting therefrom, in return, what is known as honey dew, 
each ant protecting and caring for vast numbers of lice, just as 
the farmer cares for and protects his cattle for the return they 
give. 

One of the great destroyers of ants is our common flicker or 
yellow hammer. This bird is the most terrestrial of all wood peck- 
ers, and takes fully seventy-five per cent, of his food on the ground. 
The examination of many of the stomachs of these birds has proven 
conclusively that more than one-half of the food of this bird, the 
year round, is made up of ants, and demonstrated the capacity of a 
single flicker to consume nine thousand ants at one meal. 

No game bird seems to have a firmer hold upon the public mind 
than the common quail, or ''Bob White," and a study of this bird, 
undertaken by the Biological Survey at Washington, demonstrates, 
by almost limitless examination and experiment, that the economic 
value of the quail is equalled by but few birds, and exceeded by 
none. His food supply is more varied than that of most birds, and 
is almost without exception drawn from a source through which 
nothing but good can result. He consumes many things, such as 
potato bugs, chinch bugs, the cotton boll weavel, certain caterpillars, 
spiders and other insects, that most birds avoid, and that, when 
taken at all by such other birds, are eaten to a limited extent only. 
Professor Surface says, in his Bulletin of January, 1904: "No birds 
on the farm are more valuable as seed eaters and insect destroyers 
than the common quail." 

In addition to the value of the life work of all game 'birds is the 
value that cannot be expressed in words or figures, of a day afield 
with gun and dog, and I know there is no sportsman who will not 
appreciate what I mean, when this is said. There is a benefit de- 
rived, that no one who fails to indulge in this sport can realize, a 
benefit that is not drawn through the killing of the birds only, and 
that comes to no two men exactly alike. The working of a dog speaks 
in different language to diii'erent men. From the moment the trail 
la struck until a dead bird, held only by the tip of a wing, is brought 
and laid at one's feet, all else, business cares and engagements, 
sorrows and joys outside, are alike forgotten, in the work of that dog. 

Six times to my certain knowledge, since I first began to take a 
special interest in this work, quail, because of severe winters and 
the slaughter by market hunters, had become almost extinct in 
Pennsylvania. Six times the sportsmen of this State, as an organ!- 



zation, with a limited number of outsiders, went down into their 
, pocliets and furnished the cash wherewith to buy quail in other 
States and bring them into this State. 

During February, March and April of the year 1906, the Game 
Commission purchased and brought into this State from Alabama, 
about 3,700 quail, paying for same at the rate of nine (9) dollars per 
dozen, 6 males and 6 females. These birds were placed by Deputy 
Game Protectors in almost every county in the State. The only 
counties overlooked or passed, being those wherein the people took 
so little interest in the work of game or bird protection as to either 
refuse or neglect to recommend the appointment of a protector 
within their borders. Many quail have also during the past spring 
been brought into the State by private individuals. 

The same thing has been done every year to a more or less degree 
for many years, and I feel perfectly safe in saying that were it cot 
for this importation of quail there would not be one single covey 
in this State to-day. The killing of these birds for the market 
has to a very great extent been stopped. So likewise liavc been 
closed the avenues through which live birds can be secured from the 
outside. Five years ago quail for propagating purposes could be 
secured without limit from almost every State of the South and 
West. To-day I can count the States upon the fingers of one band 
from which these birds can be secured for any purpose, the supply 
being limited from these States and the price three and even five 
times what it was five years ago. Many of the States that only 
three years or four years ago were exporting quail in apparently nn- 
limited numbers, are to-day trying their best to secure a few thou- 
sand or even hundreds alive for propagating purposes. It is re- 
ported that more than 400,000 quail were shipped from Alabama 
alone during the year 1905. Some 30,000 of this number were 
shipped alive for restocking purposes. The balance being dead were 
invoiced to cold storage houses in the North. In 1906 the Legis- 
lature of Alabama forbade the shipment of quail either living or 
dead, out of her boundaries. Thus another State has closed its doors 
against us in this respect. It seems to me that we are forced there- 
fore into the position v.iiere we must protect and save our OY>^n birds, 
if we hojje to have any in years to come. Aside from statutory en- 
actment every citizen and lover of the quail has liis work to do. I, 
therefore, beg each individual, I beg the farmers who derive more 
benefit from the life work of all kinds of birds than any other class, 
I beg the sportsman with his limited benefits of a day afield, every 
boy and girl who takes pleasure in our birds, every profoB^ed Chris- 
tian of this State to "not pass by upon the other side." The winter, 
figuratively speaking, in its most terrible form is indeed at hand for 



our birds. Don't let them die. I assure you in protecting them 
you are benefiting yourselves. 



CAPTURE OF QUAIL. 

The law at this time permits the capture of quail from the first 
of January to the first of April following for the purpose of keeping 
them alive during the winter and the additional purpose of separating 
a covey, but for no other purpose whatever. (See section 18 of the 
act of April 22, 1905.) And any method through which this can 
be accomplished without injury to the birds may be used. They 
may be led into a trap or net (see cut), by lines of buckwheat or 
screenings or other food, and after being captured they may be 
easily kept in cages or coops of proper dimensions (see cut attached). 

Find where the birds are in the habit of feeding or running, set 
your net or trap in such place. 

Notice the strips running lengthwise of net. Their purpose is to 
widen that part of the net resting on the ground. With- 
out them every particle of food can be taken by the birds with- 
out going into the net. 

Notice the light board with cross strips laid in the funnel of the 
net as shown in front view. This board while not absolutely neces- 
sary, is a great help in leading the birds into said net. The cross 
strips hold the food and help the birds to find the opening in the 
funnel. 

Sparrows can well be taken through the use of the same method 
if the mesh is small enough. 

Always keep a sharp watch over your net when it is set, making 
it a point to look it over frequently each day, otherwise you may 
cause the destruction of the covey you hope to preserve, for when 
quail are thus caught in a net they fall easy victims to the attacks 
of cats, weasels, hawks or other predatory creatures. 

Remember it is a violation of the law to trap or net quail for any 
purpose, excepting that of keeping them alive during the winter or 
for the purpose of separating a covey. Sec. 18, act April 22, 1905. 
All quail thus taken must be released as soon as the weather is suita- 
ble in the spring. The penalty for catching quail in this manner 
for any other purpose than that above stated as fixed by section 9 
of the act of June 4, 1897, is fifty dollars for each offense. This is 
simply foi" the taking of the birds in any manner excepting with a 
gun. There is also a penalty of twenty-five dollars for each bird 
taken out of season. 



CARE OF QUAIL. 

A good plan is to secure a good size room, say fourteen feet by 
fourteen feet, being sure all openings whereby rats or weasels can 
enter are closed. Cover the windows with woven wire and leave 
it open so that plenty of fresh air will be given. The quail is a very 
hardy bird and is not liable to freeze, so long as it has plenty of 
food and is kept dry. Place a pile of brush, perfectly evergreen, 
into one corner, into which the birds can retreat when alarmed. 
I have known of the keeping of many quail in this Avay. 

One of the great objections to this method is that when suddenly 
frightened the birds are liable to fly against the window screens and 
walls, in many instances injuring themselves seriously. I would 
therefore recommend that the birds be confined in boxes or coops 
especially provided for that purpose, said box to be placed in a 
room previously made vermin proof and well ventilated. 

A good box or coop (see cut) can be cheaply and easily made by 
taking two boards, say four feet in length and nine inches in height 
{1) not too high or too low. Nail crossways to these two boards 
othpr boards, say two and one-half or three feet in length (2), so 
that the short board will form the bottom and the long boards the 
sides of the proposed coop or box. Board up one end (3) placing 
wire netting, one inch mesh, on the other end. (4). First inserting 
a strip at the top of that end. (5). This strip serves the double 
purpose of a support to the sides and a foundation upon which to 
tack your wire. Eighteen or twenty inches from said wire end, 
fasten crossways in said form a board the same width of side boards, 
(6), thus making two compartments. From the middle of this board 
to the middle of the rear end and running parallel with the sides 
fasten a second partition (7), thus making three compartments to 
the box. Before nailing the first described partition cut two open- 
ings (8) about four inches by four inches, placing them so that 
they will come about the middle of the front end of each of the 
rear compartments, the purpose being to permit the quail, when 
frightened or disturbed to retreat through these openings into rear 
opening that will, when finished, be comparatively dark. Attach 
the blocks thus sawed out, with hinges, leather or otherwise, to 
serve as doors, so that the birds can be confined in either or both 
of the rear compartments as desired. 

Your are ready now to affix the roof or cover of the coop which in 
all instances should be made of some rough, course cloth, such 
as can be obtained by ripping the sewed side and end of a coffee 
sack. Cut this cloth, so that it will extend over both ends and 
sides of the box, at least three inches in all directions. Tack a light 



8 

strip, (9) say one incli square, to the edge of this cloth, that will 
fall over the sides of the box. Adjust cover so that it extends 
equally over all parts, then tack securely to the middle division, 
the one running lengthways, Ko. 7. You then have a cover that 
can be turned back from either side to the middle. The birds can 
be driven to either side compartment and the door fastened with a 
button. By turning back the opposite side, the box can be easily 
and readily cleaned. The birds are to be fed and watered in com- 
partment having wire front. 

My method of watering is to alSx tin boxes or troughs to either 
side of this compartment. These troughs are attached so that they 
are half inside (10) and half outside of said compartment and about 
three inches from the floor. The boxes are so affixed that they 
can be taken out at pleasure for cleaning purposes. I find that if 
these watering troughs are placed too near the floor the quail, which 
are great scratchers, will keep them constantly filled with dirt. 

In affixing water troughs I make a tin box, (11) say three inches 
by ten inches, soldering on each end about one-third length across 
said ends a small piece of tin, (12) say two inches in length. This 
prevents the trough from slipping too far into the box, and serves 
as a fastening through the use of a button or tack or other appliance 
that may be considered best. To adjust a through of this kind I 
make measurement of same on the box, exactly where I desire to 
introduce it. I bore an inch hole at each end of this measurement 
and saw out strip from hole to hole as near an inch in width as pos- 
sible. (13.) From each of these holes, exactly where the end of the 
trough will come and so same can be inserted therein, I make a 
saw cut at right angles with and above said first named cut, (14) 
these cuts being about twice as long as trough is high, all together 
making a figure something like the cut attached. No. 13 and 14, 
second view. If the cuts are 'made to correspond with sides of 
trough there will be no trouble whatever in introducing or removing 
same at pleasure. If adjusted in this way the troughs can readily 
be cleaned. 

For the purpose of giving more light and air than would be 
admitted through the cover alone I suggest boring one inch holes 
about three inches apart along the outer sides of rear compartments 
(15) and partitions, placing these holes about three inches from 
the floor, or about breast high to the bird. If placed too high, or 
where the birds can readily see objects on the outside, they are more 
easily frightened, than when holes are placed as before indicated. 

The sticks or slats attached to the edge of the cloth top can be 
easily tied with strings to staples driven into the sides of the box, 
say one string and staple to each end of said strip and one in the 



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middle. The cloth top can be drawn as tight as you please by 
means of these strings. Ends can also be tied thus cutting off all 
avenues of escape. 

In the side of one of the dark compartments I suggest an open- 
ing with door, in size about as in the inside partition, (16) so placed 
that all parts of said compartment can be reached with your hand 
thrust through this opening. The birds in this way can be taken 
at pleasure without danger of escape to the remainder of the bunch. 

I have experimented with a box of this kind and feel confident 
I can keep three or even four dozen quail through the entire winter 
in a coop of this size and construction. Quail are active and ener- 
getic and need plenty of room for exercise. The more room the 
better for them, and I only suggest this size. Larger boxes can 
be made if considered necessary. Points to be especially remem- 
bered are: 

Points to be Especially Remembered. 

The birds should always be kept out of reach of vermin. Coops 
should be placed where they are safe from house cats. 

They should be kept in a cool and airy place. Never in a room 
artificially heated. 

They should be fed and watered regularly. Quail are great drink- 
ers and should not be stinted in their supply of water. See to it 
that your troughs are large and that plenty of fresh water is supplied 
daily. 

Mixed food, such as buckwheat, cracked corn, screenings, millet, 
etc., is best. 

Coops should be cleaned frequently. 

Sand and gravel are as necessary as food, 

Eoad dust or wood ashes should be supplied at least once a week, 
otherwise you may have trouble with lice. 

I think it very important that the boxes or coops should in no 
instance be higher than twelve inches, nine inches seems to me to 
be about the correct measure. If the boxes are made too high the 
birds are very apt to injure themselves in an attempted flight or 
effort to escape. If too low they are liable to injure the tops of their 
heads by jumping up against the cover. This disposition of quail 
to jump makes the placing of a soft cover to the box or coop im- 
perative. 

By this method many more birds will be saved than in any other 
way, as they will not be exposed to storms and to the attacks of 
their natural enemies. If a room or coop cannot be secured, hang 
up bundles of unthreshed grain, wheat, rye, buckwheat, millet, or 
anything that will supply the need, or, better still, build covers 



10 

under which they can feed, choosing warm, protected corners along 
fences for this purpose. A good way is to drive two stakes, say ten 
feet apart, and ten feet from the fence, lay a rail on the stakes, and 
rails from the fence to this rail, cover with brush or corn stalks. Be 
sure to leave all sides open, so that the birds, if attacked by an 
enemy, such as a weasel, or house cat, can readily make their escape. 
Build the cover about three feet high, so that while there will be 
plenty of light and air, it will be almost impossible for a hawk to 
strike the birds while feeding, which will be done if the cover is too 
high; scatter feed both threshed and unthreshed under this cover, 
see to it that your efforts are not undone by hawks, or house cats, or 
other x>redatory creatures. Two or three covers of this kind will 
serve a good purpose on any farm, and be followed by a full return 
of money and labor expended, through the work of the birds. 

Experience teaches: That the idea of giving absolute protection 
to quail for a series of years, or to certain coveys on a farm, is not 
followed by the best results, unless the covey be trapped and sepa- 
rated, because frequently two or three or more hen birds will lay 
in the same nest, the cock birds fight over them, and no hatching 
be the result. I therefore recommend the trapping of the birds in 
every instance where it is possible, not only for the purpose of keep- 
ing them alive during the winter, but also for the purpose of sepa- 
rating a covey to increase the chances of propagation. Where the 
birds are trapped they can well be allowed to run together during 
the. greater part of the winter. Two or three Aveeks before they are 
to be liberated, divide them into pairs, placing a male and female 
in a separate box or cage, feed and keep together. The probability 
is that the birds will mate, in captivity, or at least become so well 
acquainted that they will mate after their release. This will result 
in a covey for each pair of birds. By taking the cage or box in which 
the birds are confined, during the night time, to the place where one 
hopes to see the birds propagate, taking off the cover or slats, sprink- 
ling food around, and going away quietly, the birds, when daylight 
comes, will be induced to come out without fright, will feed, move 
around, feed again, and remain in that locality, without flying to 
places where they cannot be looked after, or protected. 

Another good method is to take the birds to be released into the 
territory where you wish to place them. Take each bird securely 
in your hand, reach as far as possible into a brush pile and free the 
bird. A pair, or two, or more can be placed in this way with very 
little trouble. In selecting a location for the birds be sure that they 
are placed near running water and where plenty of cover, such as 
briars and brush abound. Don't forget to scatter food frequently, 
say once or twice a week, at least, until the time comes when vege- 
tation starts and insects become plentiful. 



11 

A little judicious handliug and feeding will in all probability 
"keep them there until the young are hatched, and frequently cause 
them to make that place their permanent home. If the covey you 
have trapped is released in pairs, on different days, on different 
parts of the farm, the probability is that they will not call together, 
tut instead, will at once make preparations for housekeeping, with 
the result that several coveys will be found where you now have 
but one. 

It is a well known fact that the male bird generally leads in the 
flight. I would suggest, therefore, as a means of keeping a pair of 
quail in a certain locality, that about two days before releasing the 
birds you pluck live of the large feathers from the tip of one wing 
of the male bird; this, while not taking from the bird absolutely the 
power of flight, will cause it to fly in circles and prevent lengthy 
flights. The feathers Avill be renewed in about six weeks; in the 
meantime the birds will become fixed in the locality, and in all proba- 
bility have housekeeping started. 

Sportsmen and others interested in the preservation of the wild 
turkey should see to it that food of sufficient quality and in sufficient 
quantity be procured and placed during the winter mouths where 
it can be secured readily by these birds. 

I understand and appreciate the feeling of the farmer or fruit 
grower who sees the birds destroyinghis berries or his fruit. Those 
who drafted the law giving protection to these birds also under- 
stood this situation and notwithstanding the great benefit the agri- 
culturist or the horticulturist derived through the life work of these 
same birds during that period when there were no berries and no 
fruit, said that birds of all description caught in the act of destroy- 
ing "fruit or cereals" might be killed by the owner thereof. The 
propriety or justice of such a provision I will not attemj)t to discuss, 
but congratulate myself in the thought that no game birds are likely 
to be caught in such an act. I know too that it is not their dispo- 
sition to destroy cultivated fruits or berries and that the grain 
they may consume is chiefly that left upon the ground and aban- 
doned by the farmer. I am sure too that the great majority of our 
people have better judgment than to kill our birds for such reasons. 

The law also permits the owner or the lessee of real estate or 
any member of his or their family and those in their immediate 
employ, as a protection to trees or growing crops, to kill rabbits 
during the closed season. I know that it is very aggravating to see 
the fresh sprouts, — beans or peas or beets or other vegetables — 
mowed down by the rabbit and cannot say that I should altogether 
blame the man who kills birds in the act of destroying his fruit, 
or the rabbit when known to be mutilating trees or destroying vege- 
tables, if this killing was the only remedy and was actually neces- 



12 

sary. All I ask is that you be sure you are right before you kill 
either birds or animals. 

Prof. Surface says the best remedy for the bird evil, if it can be 
so termed, is to plant an excess of berry plants and bushes or fruit 
trees beyond your needs, so that, although the birds may take a 
goodly share, you will still have enough and to spare. The professor 
asserts that the benefit derived from the birds through the destruc- 
tion of injurious insects repays the farmer many times over for any 
or all fruit that may be taken. I know that a woven wire fence two 
feet high and one inch mesh will protect the garden from rabbits 
and have been informed by good authority that rabbits v/ill in all 
instances refuse to eat anything upon which coal oil has been sprink- 
led, my -informant stating that a mixture of one tablespoonful of 
oil to a gallon of water sprayed over the growing garden, while not 
in any way affecting or injuring the plants, would be most effectual 
in warding off the attacks of rabbits. This applies to all growing 
things, trees as well as vegetables. 

I, some three years ago, had an orchard seriou>sly injured by rab- 
bits or mice, or both. Hardly a single tree out of an hundred or 
more escaped unscathed. As soon as the condition was noticed, 
which was not until many of them had been absolutely ruined, each 
tree was treated to the heighth of about one foot with ordinary axil 
grease, that preparation being highly charged with coal tar*. Dead 
trees were replaced in the spring by living trees, which were also 
greased. Two winters have passed since that time and but one 
single tree has been disturbed, that one a small peach tree, which 
I have reason to believe escaped the grease. I presume there are 
many other effective remedies. 

The rabbit fills an important niche in the economy of nature. 
Aside from the benefits of recreation derived through hunting, 
he is a valuable source of food supply to many creatures other than 
human beings, and owing to the fact that he moves in the search 
of food chiefly in the early evening or at night, is the more readily 
seen and taken by the fox or o\\\ or other night predatory prowler. 
The more rabbits we have the less liable are foxes and owls and 
weasels and other animals of this character to prey upon our game 
birds or upon the farmer's poultry. The more rabbits we have the 
less game birds will be killed by the hunler for the double reason, 
as I believe, that the great majority of hunters prefer to shoot 
rabbits rather than birds, and I know that when a rabbit hunter 
and his dog enters an open field or brush lot in the morning, every 
game bird in that section hikes to tall timber or m.ore dense cover. 
The rabbit dog raises the birds too far ahead of his master to be shot, 
even were he thus disposed. When the bird hunter comes along 
later, much to his chagrin he finds himself entirely cut out. The 



13 

rabbit hunter and bis dog are looked upon by the bird hunter about 
as the sheep man on the plains is viewed by the cattle man, that is 
with no specially kind feeling or regard, rather the contrary. 

The birds and the rabbits each have their place to fill and are each 
in their place doing more good than wrong. 

POISON. 

We have in this State a law, just and proper, that forbids the 
placing of poison for the purpose of intentionally killing domestic 
animals or dogs. The penalty for violation of this act includes 
imprisonment, as well as a cash penalty. There is still another law 
that forbids the placing of poison outside of buildings for the pur- 
pose of killing wild animals or birds. Still, the Game Commission, 
through its duly authorized agents, has the right under the law to 
destroy vermin and predatory wild animals and birds harmful to 
game and other wild birds in such a way as to them may seem best. 

Experience teaches us that it is next to impossible to reach many 
of the wild predatory creatures of our State except through the 
use of poison. I take it the purpose of placing poison may well be 
judged from the point where it is deposited or the vehicle used to 
convey it, and, therefore, in attempting to select methods of con- 
veyance for this remedy, have tried to decide upon certain things 
not likely to be taken by domestic animals of any kind or by a dog. 
I found that by introducing as much strychnine as will be taken 
up by an ordinary musket cap into the body of an English sparrow, 
a mouse, a piece of fish or eel, and dropping same into a stone wall 
or stone pile, hollow log, or stump along the line of travel of vermin, 
many animals such as the skunk, the weasel, the mink, and the 
house cat will be stopped in its predatory career, and such action 
will add tenfold to the safety of the quail, the wild turkey, the 
pheasant or any other ground nesting or ground feeding birds. The 
dead body of a rabbit or a chicken or sparrow or mouse, treated in 
this way, tied to the end of a stick, say two feet in length, placed in 
the hollow of a tree near the ground, bait end up, so that the lower 
portion of the poisoned bait will be above the top of the opening will 
serve a splendid purpose. Poison may be used in perfect*safety in 
the above ways, the dog not being able to get at it, even if so dis- 
posed, while smaller animals will be able to reach it easily. 

One gentleman recently told me of three weasels he killed in this 
way with one bait, the bait in this instance being the body of a 
rabbit killed by a weasel. A dog is not likely to eat any of the 
aforementioned bait, even if he should find it in the woods. If placed 
as directed it will be out of reach, should he pass that way. When 
the warm rains begin bait of this kind will quickly be decomposed 
and rendered harmless, even should it not be taken by vermin. Many 
a predatory animal and bird will be called down in this way without 



14 

the aid of a bounty law, or the expense attached thereto. Untold 
numbers of rats and mice will also be killed, far more in my 
opinion than would or could be killed by the foxes or weasels, and 
with no harm to birds. 

The good done by the crow through the destruction of mice or 
insects does not appear to weigh in the balance against the wrong 
done by these same birds. The rapid disappearance of prairie 
chicken in Indiana, Illinois and other prairie States of the west is 
directly attributable to the crow, that, from morning to night, 
month in and month out, preys upon the nests and young of these 
birds, and has been known in very many instances to attack and kill 
nearly full grown prairie chickens. 

Dr. Warren tells me of a spot in Pennsylvania known to himself 
where the ground, during the laying and nesting time of the wild 
waterfowl, especially the mud hen, is covered to the depth of many 
inches by the shells of the eggs of these birds, all of which were 
stolen by crows, that, in scores and hundreds, sweep over the 
marshes in that locality, devouring every egg and destroying every 
young bird they can find. We all know how the robin and very 
many other of our small birds, during their nesting time, are driven 
almost to the window sills of our home by the voracious crow, which, 
to my mind, seem to destroy individually more birds of all kinds, 
more birds' eggs and more young poultry than any hawk that ever 
flapped a wing. A little corn boiled until swollen and soft, with the 
addition of a little strychnine, will cure the crow of many bad habits. 
Corn thoroughly soaked in strong salt water will have the same effect 
upon crows. The brine of a mackerel tub is just the thing for this 
purpose. 

Corn prepared in this manner should in all instances be so placed 
in a pile, on a board, on a piece of paper, or in such other manner, 
as to make its removal easy and complete, after it has served the 
specific purpose intended. It should never be scattered over a 
field or be left exposed longer than is absolutely necessary to 
accomplish the object in view. 

The question of placing poison has been considered in very many 
phases. Experiments of various descriptions have been tried, some 
upon chickens, some with ducks, some upon turkeys, some upon 
quail and upon different kinds of wild birds other than game birds. 
One gentleman, a prominent physician, told me of feeding nux vom- 
ica to a chicken, a common hen, in quantities sufficient to have pro- 
duced fully fifteen grains of strj^chnine with no injurious result to 
the hen. The gentleman saying, the only visible effect so far as he 
could see, was that the hen appeared to have lost confidence in him. 
Six quail were repeatedly given excessive doses of strychnine, 
enough at each time and to each bird to have caused the death of 



•15 

several men. The birds seemed to have been wholly unaffected by 
the poison. One of these birds was afterwards killed by having 
forced into its craw two or three times the quantity administered in 
the first instance. Turkeys withstood excessive doses of this poison, 
while a duck quickly succumbed, after swallowig a small quantity. 
Crows and blackbirds were easily killed by the administration of 
small doses. I learned from a reliable source that residents of cer- 
tain countries had for long periods been in the habit of mixing nux 
vomica with the food given their chickens at certain times — the pur- 
pose being to kill hawks — and that while the poison did not appear 
in any way to affect the chicken, it was sure to kill any hawk that 
might within the limits of several hours or days, partake of a 
chicken thus impregnated. While none of these experiments have 
been carried to an absolute conclusion, they did determine beyond 
question, that a fixed quantity of strychnine would not affect all 
animals and birds in the same way. That many birds appear to be 
absolutely immune to its effects; that they are wholly unaffected 
by a dose in quantity sufficient to kill several men; and that many 
four-footed auimals are easily killed through the use of this agent. 
While our protectors found the dead bodies of many animals killed 
by this poison, they have not yet discovered the body of one single 
dead bird, either game or otherwise, apparently determining be- 
yond question, that strychnine is the solution of the vermin problem, 
and that when administered as directed by this office in a special 
vehicle, such as the dead body of a sparrow, or a piece of fish, both 
of which decompose quickly, and disappear, placed in a special 
locality, namely on the wild lands of the State; and at a special 
time, namely, late in the fall, after the close of the game season, 
and again early in the spring, nothing but good and benefit to the 
State can result. 

Read what Powers and Weightman, manufacturers of drugs, Phila- 
delphia, say upon this subject: 

"STRYCHNINE." 

We are occasionally solicited, by persons interested in the poison- 
ing of wolves, squirrels, gophers, and other destructive animals, to 
suggest some preparation quicker to act, and more certain in results, 
than Strychnine; but, we known of none. 

Strychnine, when of good quality is very active, and excessively 
poisonous. Its results, as a rule, are quick, uniform, and certain. 
While this is so, however, and while it operates in the same way upon 
almost all animals, when the system has been brought decidedly 
under its influence, (producing violent tonic spasms of the muscles, 
like those of tetanus), yet, considerable variation is found in different 
individuals to resist the poison. 



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Some persons are powerfully affected by the smailes 002 856 465 1 
half a grain of Sulphate of Strychnine has produced death in four- 
teen minutes, while a case is recorded in which recovery took place 
after seven grains of Strychnine had been swallowed. 

So, in the lower animals, it is found that all are not equally sus- 
ceptible. One sixth — even one eighth — of a grain, it is said, will 
kill a large dog. Ten times as much Strychnine is required to kill 
chickens as other birds, weio;ht for weight; and among mammals 
the guinea-pig is very insensitive to it. 

Where those interested in the destruction of v»^olves, etc., fail to 
obtain expected results, they are apt to question the purity of the 
Strychnine; but, we think it may safely be asserted, that the Strych- 
nine found in our markets is of good quality, and the fault is not 
with the poison itself. 

Experience will suggest to the trapper and hunter, more accurately 
than the manufacturer can do, the required amount to be used, and 
the best methods of preparing the bait. It will also remind him that 
more Strychnine is required to kill a large, than a small animal ; that 
where size is about the same, some may be able to resist a dose 
that would be fatal to others; and that the same animal may not be, 
at all times, equally susceptible to its power. 

Kemember, the law prohibits the placing of poison by the general 
public in Pennsylvania." 

Remember, in using strychnine, that it is a deadly poison, and 
should in all ways be most carefully handled and cared for. 



TEEATMENT OF STRYCHNINE POISONING. 

The antidote is tannic acid to form the insoluble tannate, or a 
soluble salt of iodine. Then emetics or the stomach pump, followed 
by perfect quiet, which is very important. Vomet as quickly and as 
thoroughly as possible. A teaspoonful of common salt to a pint of 
warm (not hot) water makes a splendid and thorough emetic. Drink 
as much water thus prepared as possible, then stick your finger 
down your throat. Antagonists are chloral, chloroform, chamomile 
oil, physostigma, tobacco and potassium bromide, the latter being so 
slow of action it is rarely available. The bladder must be frequently 
evacuated, to prevent re-absorbtion of the poison. 

If poisoned, use any of these remedies that can be the most easily 
obtained and send for your physician at once. 

I feel that nothing but good can come to the State by the following 
of any of the suggestions herein made. 

Respectfully yours, 

JOSEPH KALBFUS, 
Secretary of the Game Commission. 




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002 856 466 



Hollingar Corp. 
pH8.5 



